CARSTAIRS - After hearing a presentation from Sarah Neilsen of Urban Systems at the regular council meeting on Sept. 26, council agreed unanimously to allow a redesignation and subdivision application, which will allow 27 lots to be built.
The parcel of land is approximately 1.50 hectares and is located in the central portion of Carstairs.
The land was formerly designated low density residential – single detached district (R1). The redesignation will be from R1 to narrow parcel residential district (R1N).
The rezoning and approved subdivision will allow for the creation of 27 new lots. The purpose is to allow for the development of additional starter homes in the community of Havensfield.
“The subdivision is a combination of R1 and R1N, which are both single family,” said CAO Carl McDonnell. “One's a narrow lot. There are 27 lots in all with 14 being R1N and 13 being R1. They'll mostly be single family homes. The R1Ns are starter homes with mostly young families moving in there.”
The application was circulated to agencies and adjacent landowners on Aug. 23 and seven agencies responded with none having any objections or comments, Neilsen told councillors.
“Urban Systems recommends approval of this application, as it aligns with the intent of development for the area and will be consistent with adjacent land uses,” he said.
The town expects main construction to begin next spring, he said.
In other council news, councillors passed a motion at the regularly scheduled council meeting on Sept. 26 to keep the ATCO Gas franchise fee at 25 per cent. The revenue from the franchise fee is approximated at $228,429 per year.
Town to transfer funds for Lackner Estates
Council voted to transfer funds from the Off-site Levy Reserve account to cover the oversizing costs of the sanitary line at Lackner Estates.
The decision came as a result of a recommendation from the Strategic Planning and Corporate Affairs Committee at the Sept. 12 meeting. The amount is expected to be $26,300.
“The oversizing of the sanitary lines will accommodate development to the east side of the community hall in the future,” said CAO Carl McDonnell.
“We've oversized the pipes so if and when that area is developed they're able to tie on and we won't have to tear out infrastructure to upgrade. We pay the oversize fee now and then bill it back to the developments that develop that land in the future.”
Council approves swale changes
Council approved a request for decision to add drainage swale (a natural culvert) specifications to the Construction and Infrastructure Design Standards on the town.
The motion adds section 2.2.12, which states that drainage swales across roadways shall be two metres in width and conform to specifications set out in Appendix B.
